Infantry Weapons

Ballantine's Illustrated History of World War II / the Violent Century: Weapons Book #25

by John S. Weeks

One of the many Ballentine series on war topics, this one deals with the Allied soldiers personal weapons and specialized equipment.

Genres: History

159 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1971

Reviews

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

First published in 1971, 'Infantry Weapons' is one of a series of books on various aspects of WW2 published under Pan/Ballantine or Purnell's. This volume gives a brief history of what the title calls Infantry Weapons, and which are more closely defined in the intro as military firearms up to around 13mm calibre. This rough rule of thumb is a simple way to fit a massive subject into a short book, and works well. Mostly it works because the writer is very good, and often illustrates points with anecdotes which liven up what could otherwise be a dry subject. Very enjoyable, if rather selective.

[Jack Hwang · Rating 4 out of 5]

簡潔但精要地介紹二戰步兵用槍械輕武器。

[Alex MacKenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly to a degree just a simple listing of the Pistols, SMGs, Rifles, Assault Rifles & LMGs of the major WWII combatants. However the author is able to trace the theory & design of the successful, and importantly the unsuccessful weapons systems. Interwoven with numerous descriptions of what the front-line soldiers had to do to operate some simple, and other quite complex weapons.
Recommended.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly informative in such a short volume, enhanced with the authors infectious sense of humor. Recommended.